Apparatus for monitoring important properties of foods consumed

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for monitoring the important food properties consumed during a pre-determined period of time. A plurality of pre-printed strips, each representing a specific food item and its nutrient values is stored in a compartmentalized storage device and retrieved therefrom for attachment to a board. A plurality of rows and columns is formed when a number of strips are placed on the board, which columns contain the amount of each important food property consumed. Each column is tallied to provide the total amount of food properties consumed during a given period of time.

United States Patent Yardley 1151 3,681,857 1 51 Aug. 8, 19-72 [54]APPARATUS FOR MONITORING j IMPORTANTPROPERTIES OF FOODS FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS. 1,066,378 10/1959 Germany ......-.....;...40/142 ACONSUMED I [72] Inventor: Norma G. Yardley, 59 West 88th p i r R6 w i hStreet New York I Assistant ExaminerJ. H. Wolfi' [22] Filed: Sept. 14,1970 Attmey-Peter L. Berger [21] Appl. No.: 71,753 [57] ABSTRACT v 521US. (:1 .35/1, 40/142 A, 35/7 A math f impmFam 51 1111. C1. ..G09b 1/08'pre'dePermmed [58] Field of Search ..L. .35/1-, 40/142; 283/1 Peri0d Aplilrallty 0f Pi -fi P Z representing a. specific food -1tem and tsnutrient [56] References Cit d values is stored in a compartmentalizedstorage device and retrieved therefrom for attachment to a board. AUNITED STATES PATENTS plurality of rows and columns is formed when a1,289,246 12/1918 7 Palmer ..35/7 number of strips are placed on theboard, which 793,676 7/ 1905 Olivera ..35/73 columns contain the amountof each important food 2,600,505 6/ 1952 JOIICDS ..40/ 142 A propertyconsumed, Each column is tallied to 'provide 8 et a] g the total amountof food properties consumed during en a iven eriod oftin e 2,314,3873/1943 Carlsson ..283/l g p 2,337,594 12/1943 Easley ..35/1 Claims, 7Drawing Figures H I I6 I NUTRIENT A CALORIE COUNTBEIR 30) 32) 54,, E '3a FOOD/ ZTa glg'li c 2 6 2 1%} 1 :81?! :23 grg' uni s mg. mg. mg. mg.mg, mg, gr: 5 APPLE 1: lsm O .Ol5 D 1 0.3 2 BACON, CRISP L? I} 5|. 0.027 .007 O O 3 Oil 2 53 BEEF, LEAN L2 4 02. 60 J40 .262 0 l3 2|4- 3.422 I BEANS,LIMA,COCKED i C. 900 .225 v250 42 21 I30 0.9 7 I16 BREAD, RYE1 5|. .066 0 12 74 0,6 3 76 TOTALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a method for keeping tally of important foodproperties eaten during a given period of time, and more particularly toa totalizer system for accomplishing the same.

Although our nation is affluent by economic s dards, it'is becomingincreasingly apparent that the diets of many Americans are lacking inthe minimum basic requirements of important food properties such asvitamins, iron, and proteins. Although the consumer can well afford toproperly feed himself, most people are unaware of their poor nutritionalhabits which have resulted in the grossly deficient diets presentlyfound in America. Such diets are by no means restricted to the poor ordisadvantaged. The medical profession has recently become more aware ofthis problem as it relates to all economic classes and has beenconducting studies relating thereto. Concurrently, the public has becomemore aware of their dietary deficiencies and have sought to remedy thesame.

In order to determine the nutrient intake during the course of a day,charts and the like must be consulted. These charts contain numericaldata relating to the amount of important properties contained in food.In order to calculate the total amount of vitamins, nutrients andcalories taken during a day, a chart must be prepared by the user whichis both tedious and timeconsuming in its preparation. It can beunderstood that the listing of three meals and snacks, totaling possibly20 or 25 different foods including the most important componentsthereof, can amount to the handwriting of as many as 250 separatefigures.

The counting of food properties is important to people who are onspecial diets as well as the general population. The preparation of sucha table each 7 day by users is boring and frequently leads the person todisregard the essential medical advise he is to follow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for accomplishing the above object.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such anapparatus which is relatively easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatuswhich eliminates the time-consuming and tedious handwriting of manynumerical figures.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a counteror totalizer system which is attractive, durable, yet relativelyinexpensive.

Another object of the present invention is to provid such a totalizersystem which is relatively light in weight and compact so that it may beportable.

Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY THE, INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a method formonitoring or tallying the amount of properties of food eaten during aspecified period of time, including the steps of selecting a firstpre-printed strip containing indicia representing a specific food andthe amount of different food properties contained in iron,

the specific food, attaching the strip to a board, selecting additionalpre-printed strips relating to additional foods and the amount of foodproperties contained therein, attaching the additional strips below thefirst strip on the board and aligning corresponding numerical data onthe first and additional strips to form columns of data.

The strips are stored in a compartmentalized container and preferablyare alphabetically stored therein.

Each food item is pre-printed on a strip and the amount of importantfood'properties contained in an average serving of the food is'alsoprinted on the strip. A plurality of such strips are placed on the boardat the end of a pre-determined period'of time, such as a day, to form atable. Each column of the table is appropriately designated with aspecific food property such as iron,

. Vitamin A, or the like, and such columns are totaled at the bottom ofthe board, providing an indication of the amount of food propertiestaken in during the day.

The strips may be attached to the board by providing a 'magnetized'boardand metallic strips which readily adhere to the board. As analternative, the board and strips may be plasticized with respectivefemale and male connecting members, enabling the strip to be held inplace by a friction fit between the members.

The present invention will find widespread use among the generalpopulation, particularly those who must regulate and watch their foodintake. Additionally, those Americans who are becoming more aware oftheir dietary deficiencies may advantageously utilize the presentinvention to determine the specific food properties in which they aredeficient.

The present device may be relatively light in weight, yet durable andattractivev and relatively inexpensive, thus making it suitable forwidespread use and distribution.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the present inventionshowing the board and a plurality of strips thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a compartmentalized storage deviceforming a portion of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1showing the strips being attached to the board.

FIGS. 4 through 7 are sectional views similar to FIG. 3 showing otherembodiments for connecting the strips to the board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates aboard 10 upon which are mounted a plurality of strips 12 and anadditional strip 14. Strip 14 serves as the heading strip, havingthereon indicia representing specific food properties. In particular,the first column 16 is designated food. The second column 18 isdesignated average serving, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth columns,20, 22, 24 and 26, are designated Vitamins A, B,, B and C, respectively.The seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, and 11th, columns, 28, 30, 32, 34 and36, are designated calcium phosphorous, protein," and caloriesrespectively. Strip 14 may be separate from the others or may include atleast a strip pre-printed with specific food properties. The

strip 14 may be left permanently on board to serve as a heading. As analternative, the headings contained in strip 14 may be pre-printed orembossed directly on the board 10.

Each strip is provided with indicia corresponding to each column headingcontained in strip 14. For example, the strip for apple" is providedwith indicia, such as numerals which represent the amount of propertiescontained in the food, a serving of a small applecontains 25 mg. ofcalcium, 50 units of Vitamin A, and 0.015 mg. of 'Vitamin 3,. Similarly,the other strips specifically illustrated in FIG. 1 contain numericaldata relating tothe average sized serving and the amount of foodproperties contained therein. Of particular note to calorie consciousindividuals, each strip is provided with the amount of caloriescontained in the average serving so that the calorie intake can bemonitored. Each strip is placed on and attached to the board 10 and eachstrip forms a row with thenumerical data contained on each strip fallingin columns defined by the headings contained in strip 14. It may thus beseen that when the strips are placed on the board in succeeding providedwith holes 48, at its ends which are adapted to fit over and be securedto the projecting members 46.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment for attaching the strips tothe board. In FIG. 6, the board is provided with a plurality of spacedapart upstanding rib With the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 through 7,

the board may be made of a plastic material and the strips of aplastic,'paper, orcomposite material, thus providing a relativelyinexpensive monitoring device.

fashion, a table of nutrient values is formed with columns thereofindicating the amount of specific food properties eaten.

Several additional strips represented by strip 38 are provided blank andmay be imprinted or written on for unusual foods not contained in theplurality of preprinted food strips, or for such additional foodproperties not included in the headings provided on strip 14 or on board10. Such properties might include essential minerals or other foodtraces. Additionally, the strips may be provided with writteninformation relating to different diets for research use with differentpatients. At this point it is contemplated that the pre-printed stripswill contain the most commonly used foods and food properties while itis obvious that other foods and food properties may also be pre-printedon such strips.

A compartmentalized storage deviceor holder 40 is provided including aplurality of dividers 41 which enable the strips to be alphabeticallystored for easy retrieval. Other arrangements for storing the strips maybe provided in accordance with the number of compartments available.

FIGS. 3 through 7 illustrate various embodiments for attachingthe stripsto the board. FIG. 3 illustrates the board 10 being of a metallic ormagnetic construction and strips 12, 14 and 38 attached thereto bymagnetic coupling action. When the board is metallic in nature, thestrips are magnetic, while when the board is magnetized, the strips aremetallic.

FIG. 4 illustrates the board 10 having a plurality of slots or apertures42 which serve as female receptacle members for male plug members 44.Each strip may be provided with a pair of slots or apertures at the endsof the strips which align with apertures 42 of the board. When thestrips are in place, the male plug members 44 are placed through thealigned apertures to rigidly hold the strip in place. As an alternativeembodiment, the male plug members may be integrally formed at the endsof the strips to be placed in slots 42.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment for attaching the strips tothe board. In particular, a plurality of projecting members 46 areintegrally formed with the board projecting upwardly therefrom. Eachstrip is The strips are durable and will not crack, tear or creaseeasily and are capable of clearly displaying pre-printed indicia carriedthereon. The board and strips may be attractive, inexpensive, yetdurable and suited for repetitive use. 1

The present invention provides a method and apparatus which eliminatesthe need to write down as many as 250 separate figures which waspreviously required. In particular, each user essentially forms his owntable relating to important food properties and simply totals the amountof such properties consumed during a day. The'individual when totalinghis intake of vitamins, calories, etc., selects the strip representingeach food item and places it on the board. When all the strips have beenselected corresponding to the food eaten during a pre-determined timeperiod and placed on the board, columns will be formed as illustrated inFIG. 1. The user simply totals each column to determine the total amountof important food properties consumed.

The board illustratively might be square, having 9 inch sides with eachstrip being approximately threeeighths inch 'wide. Approximately 30 suchstrips could be handled by such a board which normally would be enoughfor most users. It may be appreciated that other sizes and dimensionsand materials may be utilized for the strips, board, and storage device,and other methods of attaching the strips to the board may be devised bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

It will be thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among thosemade apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attainedand, since certain changes may be made in the above method and apparatuswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Iclaim:

1. A food intake monitor device for monitoring the properties of foodseaten during a pre-determined period of time comprising a board, saidboard being relatively flat, a plurality of strips, each of saidplurality of strips being of substantially equal length extendingsubstantially across the entire width of said board, each of saidplurality of strips including indicia representing a specific food andthe amount of vitamins, minerals,

respective food properties so that the total amounts of food propertiesconsumed is readily determinable.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for attachingsaid plurality of strips to said board is provided with magnetic means.

3. A-device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality ofstrips is provided with two ends, a pair of male plug members each ofsaid pair of male plug members being integrally formed at respectiveones of said two ends of each of said plurality of strips, said boardbeing provided with a plurality of female receptacle members, saidfemale receptacle members forming two columns, each of said two columnsbeing located at opposite sides of said board, said male plug memberscooperating with respective ones of said female receptacle members toattach said strips to said board. I

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said board is made of aplastic type material.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said board I is made of amagnetized material.

1. A food intake monitor device for monitoring the properties of foodseaten during a pre-determined period of time comprising a board, saidboard being relatively flat, a plurality of strips, each of saidplurality of strips being of substantially equal length extendingsubstantially across the entire width of said board, each of saidplurality of strips including indicia representing a specific food andthe amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins and calories comprising thedifferent food properties contained in each of said foods indicated onsaid strips, each of said strips having the food properties arranged inthe same sequence on said strips, and means for attaching said pluralityof said strips to said board with said strips being held on said boardforming rows, whereby the amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins andcalories of each of said specific foods form a columnar arrangement forready totalization of said respective food properties so that the totalamounts of food properties consumed is readily determinable.
 2. A deviceas set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said pluralityof strips to said board is provided with magnetic means.
 3. A device asset forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of strips isprovided with two ends, a pair of male plug members each of said pair ofmale plug members being integrally formed at respective ones of said twoends of each of said plurality of strips, said board being provided witha plurality of female receptacle members, said female receptacle membersforming two columns, each of said two columns being located at oppositesides of said board, said male plug members cooperating with respectiveones of said female receptacle members to attach said strips to saidboard.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said board is madeof a plastic type material.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid board is made of a magnetized material.